Comments on: Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam veteran plays Santa Claus http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/ A veteran, his daughter, their journey Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:21:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Doc Bernie Duff http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-96 Doc Bernie Duff Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:06:16 +0000 http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-96 Actually, the people here tell me I am the REAL "No En," Nicole. This being my second year as the magical character, I'm beginning to believe it! My beard is now almost fully grown out and ready for my rounds through the alleys and into the areas of the poorest of the poor. It seems that in those areas is where I have found the greatest riches to exist. They certainly have enriched MY life! Though this month of December is always such a busy time and Bao Anh and I are left totally drained by the time the New Year has made it's way into town, it is truly the BEST time here in Vietnam. There is just no way to adequately describe the feeling one gets when many sets of eyes are all directed into Santa's eyes. Little ears hang onto each word that I utter, though many haven't a clue what the words coming out mean. Last year, at Cay Bang Primary School, we gave the kids notebooks and pens, only to discover that many had not used those items because they were gifts that came from No En...and that made them special and wonderous!! It is the kids who are wonderous and for No En, the countdown has already begun!! Merry Christmas, Nicole...and Andy...and memebers of VVA Chapter 333...and all of the new friends we have made. Never stop believing! Actually, the people here tell me I am the REAL “No En,” Nicole. This being my second year as the magical character, I’m beginning to believe it! My beard is now almost fully grown out and ready for my rounds through the alleys and into the areas of the poorest of the poor. It seems that in those areas is where I have found the greatest riches to exist. They certainly have enriched MY life! Though this month of December is always such a busy time and Bao Anh and I are left totally drained by the time the New Year has made it’s way into town, it is truly the BEST time here in Vietnam. There is just no way to adequately describe the feeling one gets when many sets of eyes are all directed into Santa’s eyes. Little ears hang onto each word that I utter, though many haven’t a clue what the words coming out mean. Last year, at Cay Bang Primary School, we gave the kids notebooks and pens, only to discover that many had not used those items because they were gifts that came from No En…and that made them special and wonderous!! It is the kids who are wonderous and for No En, the countdown has already begun!! Merry Christmas, Nicole…and Andy…and memebers of VVA Chapter 333…and all of the new friends we have made. Never stop believing!

]]> By: Billy Dennis http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-82 Billy Dennis Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:08:13 +0000 http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-82 Nicole, My dear friend Panos Messis told me about your blog. Panos is on my staff at Swift Creek Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries! I am in a masters program at NC State University, where we have been studying Vietnam veterans and their memoirs most recently. Our professor was happy to read your entries, and she has passed along the site to our entire class. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Sincerely, Billy Dennis Nicole,

My dear friend Panos Messis told me about your blog. Panos is on my staff at Swift Creek Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries! I am in a masters program at NC State University, where we have been studying Vietnam veterans and their memoirs most recently. Our professor was happy to read your entries, and she has passed along the site to our entire class. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Sincerely,
Billy Dennis

]]> By: Personalized Santa Greetings: Santa Letter & Phone Call » Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam veteran plays Santa Claus http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-81 Personalized Santa Greetings: Santa Letter & Phone Call » Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam veteran plays Santa Claus Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:37:05 +0000 http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/27/ho-ho-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam-veteran-plays-santa-claus/#comment-81 [...] Kaitlynn Blyth had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.“Doc” Bernie Duff, a member of Rockland County’s Vietnam Veterans of America, is gearing up for the annual tradition he started after moving to Vietnam last year: dressing up as “No En,” Santa Claus, and visiting disabled and poor … [...] [...] Kaitlynn Blyth had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.“Doc” Bernie Duff, a member of Rockland County’s Vietnam Veterans of America, is gearing up for the annual tradition he started after moving to Vietnam last year: dressing up as “No En,” Santa Claus, and visiting disabled and poor … [...]

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